DID YOU KNOW...

Rife's Autobody does more than collision repair. We also offer detailing, glass replacement, mobile estimating, paintless dent repair, and lease turn-in inspection. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About the Collision Repair Process? We are Happy to Provide You With Answers

The following are questions most often asked by our customers. Please feel free to contact us in person, by phone, or by e-mail if you have additional questions. We are here to help.

Claim numbers are normally issued by your insurance company at the time you report your accident. Please write the claim number down and bring it in with you when you begin the repair process. If your agent or insurance company has not already given you a claim number, Rife's Autobody will contact them on your behalf to obtain the claim number for your repair order. Yes, Rife's Autobody will take the steps necessary to ensure your satisfaction with the paint match. Proper paint-matching techniques require a high level of skill and a great deal of patience. Today's modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly specialized paints. We have the finest paint system available and constantly upgrade our technology and equipment to ensure that each vehicle's paint matches. All of our technicians are trained and certified by [insert paint manufacturer name]. We take special pride in our ability to match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process. Because each situation is different, there is no standard time period necessary to make repairs. The length of time is dependent on the extent of the damage the vehicle has sustained, availability of parts, and your insurance adjustor's timeliness. When the written estimate is prepared we will provide you with an estimated time of completion. If additional damage is found after teardown, the estimator will contact you immediately to advise of any additional repair time Rife's Autobody offers a lifetime warranty on most repairs for as long as you own the vehicle. Yes, insurance policies require that you notify the company or your agent, make a report, and tell them where the damaged vehicle may be inspected. It is your responsibility to pay the deductible, if you have one, to Rife's Autobody upon the completion of repairs. The amount of deductible that you will be responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. If you do not know the amount of your deductible, your agent can tell you. You are. As the vehicle owner, you are in direct contract with the repair shop, not the insurance company. As such, it is extremely important to CHOOSE a repair shop that will meet your expectations for a quality repair because you are solely responsible for the cost of repair. The easiest and most convenient way to pay for your portion of the repairs to your vehicle is with a major credit card. We also accept cash, bank checks, insurance checks, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and personal checks not to exceed $250.00. No. Using a state-of-the-art computer measuring system and our highly skilled technicians, Rife's Autobody can return your vehicle to its original factory specifications. If it is determined that the frame section is bent beyond repair, that section can be replaced. If the damage to your car is greater than your car's worth, Rife's Autobody can assist you in negotiating with your insurance company to reach an acceptable settlement. Yes. Rife's Autobody has a partnership with Hertz Rental Cars and can help you make the necessary arrangements. They will meet you at our shop or we can give you a ride to their facility. Check your insurance policy and/or call your insurance company to find out if you have rental coverage and what your specific limitations are.

Our Westerville Hertz partner can be reached at 614-476-6847.
Our Grandview Hertz partner can be reached at 614-529-4228. Our staff will gladly give you a ride home or to your place of employment and arrange to pick you up when the repairs are completed. We will keep you informed as repairs progress, and will call you in advance to let you know when the vehicle repairs will be complete. You can also check the progress of your repairs on this website by accessing our new and improved Online Repair Status System, which will be launching shortly. Feel free to call or email us during the repair process if you have any questions or concerns. Yes. Just let us know what other work you would like done so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Additional repairs may not be covered by your insurance company. Our locations are conveniently open Monday through Friday 8:00 am -5:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. Yes. In order to provide a quicker turnaround time, we order your vehicles parts as soon as you schedule a date for repairs. Parts that wear out and need replacement with time and use (i.e., tires, batteries, and suspension parts) are commonly subject to betterment charges when they are replaced during the repair process. These betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated based on actual miles on your vehicle. DO:
- Wash the vehicle by hand with cool water and a very mild car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge.
- Always use clean fresh water.
- Wash your vehicle in the shade

DON'T:
- Do not use a commercial car wash. Stiff brushes or sponges could mar the finish and damage the surface.
- Do not "dry wipe" your vehicle. Dry wiping can scratch the finish.
- Do not drive on gravel roads. Chipping the finish is easily done in the first 30 days.
- Avoid parking under trees and utility lines which are likely to attract birds. Bird droppings have a high acid content and will damage a freshly painted surface. Also, tree sap can mar or spot a freshly painted surface.
- Do not spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or windshield solvent on the new finish.
- Do not scrape ice or snow from the newly painted surface.
DON'T:
- Do not wax or polish the vehicle. This will allow the finish to dry and harden completely.